Superior University

Background: Pattern hair loss or androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a widespread condition (that affects both men and women) and it may cause a great deal of physical and psychological discomfort. The condition in men is normally expressed through Hamilton-Norwood scale that illustrates a foreseeable arrangement of bitemporal and vertex hair thinning. Diffuse thinning of the crown area sparing the frontal hairline is common in women in AGA as observed in the Ludwig scale. Prevalence studies show that one out of every three to four men and one out of every three women may get AGA at some point in their lives. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to: compare the efficacy and safety of different minoxidil formulations (e.g., . 5%, foam vs. 5%liquid form) in treating androgenic alopecia Material & Method: The present study was a prospective, randomized, comparative, single-blind clinical trial conducted at the Buner Medical Complex, Buner, following approval of the research protocol by the Institutional Ethics Committee. The study duration was 12 months, including recruitment, intervention, and follow-up periods. Before enrollment, all participants were adequately informed about the study objectives, treatment protocol, follow-up schedule, and potential adverse effects of the interventions. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to inclusion in the study. All the statistical analysis was done by use of the SPSS software (version 23). The data was summarized in terms of descriptive statistics, such as mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages. The student t -test on continuous normally distributed variables and Mann Whitney U test in nonparametric data were used to compare the two treatment groups. The Chi-square test or the Fisher exact test was used to analyze categorical variables based on the test type suited in each case. The p-value below 0.05 was statistically significant. significant for all tests. Results: The results of this randomized comparative trial prove that 5% minoxidil foam and 5% minoxidil liquid solution are effective treatment methods that can be used to manage androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in male patients. There was very close similarity between the two formulations in the measurement of improving hair diameter and similar though slightly differentiated effects on hair density. Both the treatment groups demonstrated statistically significant changes in hair diameter and hair density in terms of improvement of hair diameter by about 12.4-12.6 percent and hair density by 2.4-3.1 percent at the baseline to 12 weeks. Notably, the high baseline homogeneity of the two treatment arms reduces the risks of internal validity in the study that the observed results are because of treatment and not due to the differences in baseline homogeneity. Conclusion: This studty illustrates that 5 percent minoxidil foam and 5 percent minoxidil liquid solution are both effective and well tolerated interventions that result in statistical and clinically significant effects on hair diameter and density after 12 weeks. Although the efficacy of both formulations showed a similar degree of efficacy on hair shaft thickening, there was a tendency towards more density gain and the patient satisfaction with the foam formulation being slightly higher than with the lotion formulation, which points to potential practical benefits. Overall, both formulations are valid, evidence-based therapeutic models, and the choice of the formulation is most effectively determined by the specifics of the patient, his preferences, and treatment goals. These observations support the long-standing status of minoxidil as a first-line treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening complication among trauma patients admitted to intensive care units, and early diagnosis remains challenging due to overlap between post-traumatic systemic inflammation and infection-related immune responses. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine released rapidly after tissue injury or infection, has been proposed as a potential early biomarker for identifying sepsis in critically injured patients. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum IL-6 measured within 24 hours of ICU admission for early identification of sepsis among trauma ICU patients. Methods: A prospective observational diagnostic accuracy study was conducted in a tertiary care trauma ICU between March and December 2025. A total of 150 adult trauma patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Serum IL-6 levels were measured within 24 hours of admission using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Sepsis diagnosis was established according to Sepsis-3 criteria using clinical evaluation, microbiological findings, and organ dysfunction assessment. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal IL-6 threshold and diagnostic accuracy parameters. Results: Among the 150 patients, 144 (96.0%) exhibited elevated IL-6 levels (>50 pg/mL), with a mean concentration of 125 ± 40 pg/mL. ROC analysis demonstrated excellent discriminative ability with an area under the curve of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.85–0.96). The optimal IL-6 cut-off value of 52 pg/mL yielded sensitivity of 93.2%, specificity of 81.4%, positive predictive value of 89.6%, and negative predictive value of 87.5%. Elevated IL-6 levels were consistently observed across age groups and genders. Conclusion: Serum IL-6 measured early after ICU admission demonstrates high diagnostic accuracy for identifying sepsis in trauma patients and may serve as a valuable biomarker for early detection and clinical decision-making in trauma ICU settings. Keywords: Interleukin-6, Sepsis, Trauma ICU, Biomarker, Inflammation, Early detection, ROC analysis.

Environmental sustainability is under extreme strain, and human’s reckless consumption practices are exacerbating emerging environmental problems including global warming and the greenhouse effect. Shifting consumer patterns towards green consumption is one of the possible solutions. This study examines the effect of environmental concern, perceived usefulness and green consumer knowledge on green consumer behavior. Further the indirect effects of environmental attitude and subjective norms are examined as mediators. Moderating effect of green consumer trust on relationship between environmental attitude and green consumer behavior is also examined. The relationships are examined in light of theory of green purchase behavior. The research philosophy of this study is positivism, which emphasizes an objective and systematic approach to understanding the variables influencing green consumer behavior. The study was quantitative by nature. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire from 399 respondents of FMCG customers, using a purposive sampling technique. The hypotheses were tested using the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) technique by using Smart-PLS software. The findings demonstrate that environmental concern, perceived usefulness, and green consumer knowledge support green consumer behavior and incite consumers to buy environmentally friendly products. Subjective norms and environmental attitudes mediate the relationship between environmental concern, perceived usefulness, green consumer knowledge and green consumer behavior. Green consumer trust moderates the relationship between environmental attitude and green consumer behavior, indicating that consumer trust motivates environmentally sensitive behavior. The results help marketers and policymakers to establish initiatives that raise consumer awareness, build trust, and promote sustainable consumption.

Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder (SCD) face persistent impairments in language acquisition, social communication, and daily functioning. High-technology mobile applications have demonstrated efficacy in supporting communication and language development in these populations; however, the overwhelming majority of validated applications are developed in English and culturally oriented toward Western contexts. No prior systematic review has examined the development or effectiveness of mobile applications specifically designed in Urdu, Punjabi, or Sindhi — the three primary regional languages of Pakistan and South Asia — for children with ASD or SCD. Objective: To systematically identify, characterise, and appraise the methodological quality and effectiveness of high-technology mobile applications incorporating Urdu, Punjabi, or Sindhi language support for children (aged 0–18 years) with ASD or SCD. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Five electronic databases — PubMed/MEDLINE, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar — were searched in January 2025 from inception to search date. Two independent reviewers conducted dual screening at title/abstract and full-text stages; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), JBI Quasi-Experimental Checklist, and CASP Quantitative Checklist, as appropriate to study design. Narrative synthesis was conducted using the SWiM framework. Results: Of 847 records identified, 28 studies met eligibility criteria after removal of 156 duplicates and staged screening. Seven studies constituted the core evidence base directly aligned with the review's South Asian regional language focus. Five studies incorporated Urdu as a primary application language; one study addressed Sindhi-language digital learning; no standalone study was identified for Punjabi. The only study covering all three target languages simultaneously (Hassan et al., 2025) demonstrated measurable speech production gains and significantly improved compliance. Quality scores ranged from 5 to 9 out of 10; three studies were rated High quality, one Moderate–High, two Moderate, and one Moderate–Low. The direction of reported effect was uniformly positive across all core studies, though only two employed validated, standardised outcome instruments in controlled designs. Conclusion: Urdu-language mobile applications for ASD and SCD children in Pakistan demonstrate feasibility and positive usability but lack controlled efficacy evidence. Punjabi represents a critical and entirely unaddressed evidence gap despite representing the primary language of Pakistan's largest population. Prioritised development and rigorous evaluation of Punjabi- and Sindhi-language mobile ASD applications are urgently needed to meet international inclusive education mandates and ensure linguistically equitable intervention access.

The explosive growth of mobile devices as the main vehicle for digital interaction has required a paradigm shift in designing software because software performance, once relegated to the back burner, is now essential for retaining customers and maintaining security integrity. This report is an in-depth exploration of the topic of mobile application performance metrics within the context of the modern software process management. It explores the technical taxonomy of client-side and network-side indicators, the integration of performance gates in continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and the nuanced choice between encryption cryptographical security and system efficiency. Special attention is paid to the emerging 2024-2026 landscape, including the role of 5G/6G connectivity, integration with artificial intelligence, and the novel 5G/6G data sharing standards including the integration of trusted data sharing under the proposed and developing world standard. By considering the integration of empirical data with high process methodologies, this analysis provides a framework for ensuring sub-second responsiveness and high availability in a rapidly complex mobile ecosystem.

The 1,2,4-oxadiazole scaffold has attracted considerable interest as a privileged structure for anticancer drug development due to its favorable physicochemical properties and multimodal bioactivity. This study presents a comprehensive computational investigation to evaluate the potential of a series of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives as dual inhibitors of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), two key drivers in these malignancies. An integrated in silico strategy was employed, combining density functional theory (DFT), molecular docking and dynamics simulations, pharmacokinetic profiling, and machine learning models. Our workflow identified several lead compounds exhibiting promising dual-binding characteristics. Key derivatives demonstrated superior predicted binding affinity and complex stability compared to the reference inhibitor erlotinib. Pharmacokinetic evaluations indicated that the series possesses favorable drug-likeness, with high predicted oral bioavailability and a low risk of cardiotoxicity. Furthermore, machine and deep learning models achieved robust performance in classifying compound activity, underscoring their utility in virtual screening. Collectively, this work validates the 1,2,4-oxadiazole core as a promising scaffold for dual HER2/ERα inhibition and provides a rational, multi-faceted computational blueprint. The identified lead compounds warrant subsequent experimental validation, and the established framework serves as a valuable template for accelerating the discovery of next-generation targeted cancer therapies.

The rapid growth in adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for decision-making processes, administrative functions and academic services has created an environment of rapid change throughout the university setting. As technology advances, concerns surrounding transparency, fairness and accountability of algorithms also arise; these issues affect how employees of universities perceive and trust AI systems. Research on AI governance and trust in organisations will be utilised in this study to explore how transparency and communication among leaders impact employee trust in AI as a governance tool within universities. Data from academic and administrative staff from universities that are currently undergoing transformation through digitalisation influenced by AI will be analysed using a structural equation modelling (SEM) method. The study will propose that algorithm transparency has both a direct and indirect positive correlation to employee trust through perceived organisational fairness. Additionally, the relationship between algorithm transparency and employee trust will be moderated by leader communication through reducing uncertainty and creating understanding of AI as a decision tool. Overall, this research is intended to advance the body of literature related to human-centred governance of AI by identifying socio-organisational mechanisms through which employee trust in AI systems develops. Furthermore, it will provide university leaders and policymakers with actionable recommendations for creating responsible governance structures for AI that prioritise transparency, communication and employee participation. By evaluating individual level trust related to the ethical implementation of AI at universities, our research will assist universities in understanding how they can balance their drive towards innovation through technology and caring for people.

The recent outbreak of the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) across multiple regions has highlighted the need for effective vaccine. This study employed an in-silico immunoinformatics approach to design a multi-epitope vaccine against monkeypox virus. The IMV heparin binding surface protein (H3L) of MPV was selected as vaccine target. B and T cell epitopes were predicted and evaluated for their toxicity, allergenicity, antigenicity and global population coverage. A multi-epitope construct was assembled using adjuvant and appropriate linkers. The 3D vaccine structure was modelled, enhanced and then checked for its overall structure and physiochemical properties. The in-silico docking vaccine construct and TLR3 receptor was performed to check affinity and stability of vaccine-TLR3 complex. The vaccine's ability to express and activate the immune system was demonstrated by its cloning into the E. coli plasmid pET-28b (+). The selected H3L protein exhibited 92.22% sequence conservation across Monkeypox virus isolates of different continents, supporting its suitability as broad-spectrum vaccine target. The molecular docking and dynamics analysis confirmed both the stability and strong binding affinity of the vaccine construct with the TLR3. Immune stimulation predicted robust humoral and cellular responses, with evidence of immunological memory formation. Overall, we proposed a potential vaccine construct that has the potential to effectively prevents monkeypox. However, in-vivo and in-vitro investigations are needed to validate the biological effectiveness and safety of the suggested vaccine.